Indianola Development Association - Indianola, IA > News

Testimonials

Barb Rasko
Publisher
Make Mine Wine
Rasko Publishing LLC

Inspiration, creative vision, entrepreneurial spirit, commitment and dedication have led me to start two small businesses in Indianola; the second, Rasko Publishing, LLC, was started in May 2006, and publishes Make Mine Wine magazine. As an entrepreneur, Connecting to What Matters is connecting to support, and support at every turn is what I've experienced in Indianola.

Support is giving more than the position or job description requires, and I've found that support from people who understand the importance of small businesses and want to see them thrive.

In Indianola, Connecting to What Matters is connecting to the people, the professional services, the knowledge and expertise, the interest, the friendliness, and the genuine “I want you to succeed.” attitude that supports my desire to publish a successful, regional magazine.

- Barb Rasko

Kiersten Hendrickson
Elementary Music Teacher
Indianola Community Schools

My connection to Indianola goes back many, many years. I grew up in a household listening to great stories from my parents about their experiences of their college years at Simpson College. Saying “yes” to Simpson was one of the best decisions of my life. While at Simpson, I fell in love with the Indianola community and all of the great things it has to offer its community members.

Indianola is a wonderful fit for me. It's a smaller suburban community that has many opportunities for a young person like me. Between Simpson College and Indianola High School, I can catch all of my favorite athletic games throughout the year. I am definitely a fine arts supporter and this community houses a world renowned opera company: Des Moines Metro Opera.

Indianola's location is ideal and the people that make up this community are some of the best I've ever met. I honestly don't think there's a better place for children to grow and learn in and around the metro area. And that's just another thing that I love about this city. People believe in our school district and encourage our students to experience all that is offered.

Indianola is a wonderful place for people of all ages. It's a community that welcomes young singles, the growing family, and the retired. Indianola has a great balance and I'm happy to be a part of it.

- Kiersten Hendrickson

Marty Miller
Owner
Miller Electric

Miller Electric has been my family's passion for more than 40 years. My wife and I are now owners of the business and are carrying on a proud family tradition. In 1999, the Indianola Development Corp offered us the opportunity to relocate to the Indianola Industrial Park. The incentive to move was simply too great to pass up. Since the relocation, we have gone from three employees to ten and expect continued growth. Easy access to the Highway 5 Bypass enables us to service some of the Des Moines metro and smaller nearby communities. Our new location has really allowed our business to thrive.

Having lived and worked in a larger city, my wife and I decided to move back to Indianola to raise our family. Even though Indianola has grown and evolved since we were kids, we knew those same small-town values still exist here. The schools are exceptional and the community offers many opportunities to get involved.

From a professional and personal standpoint, Indianola is a great home for us.

- Miller Electric

Visitor Insights

On July 21, 2009, Indianola hosted an overnight stay for the 37th annual RAGBRAI event. RAGBRAI is an annual seven-day bicycle ride across the state and is the longest, largest and oldest touring bicycle ride in the world. RAGBRAI is number seven on a list of 50 Best American Adventures by National Geographic magazine.

Regarding RAGRBRAI in Indianola.

"Nicely put together :-) "

- Mandy Sailland

Dear Indianola,
This is my 16th RAGBRAI & I have came thru Indianola at least 2 times and I have to apologize for not thanking you enough for your hospitality. By my nature ( I can speak for all riders) we never thank you enough for everything you do for us. I love Indianola. You have a great community & if I could tear my roots out of Illinois I would move there. Thanks again for being a gracious host, I really enjoyed your town.

- Leo Metz

Received your thank you card today. What a class act! Thanks to all in your town for your many efforts during RAGBRAI.It was a wonderful evening from start to finish, made especially memorable by the balloon parade at sunset and some very nice people operating a restaurant on the square.

- Anonymous

I just want you to know that I did the RAGBRAI this summer and your town, along with the rest of IOWA was just the BEST EVER!! The people were so welcoming and just the nicest people I have ever met (and I'm a TEXAN where the people are naturally friendly!) Everyone just bent over backwards to help you out in any way they could.

You have a great town, we enjoyed ourselves so much in Indianola..... thank you for your hospitality......

- Jan McCay